# popcorn

/ˈpɑpˌkɔɹn/ (US) · /pˈɒpkɔːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/popcorn
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the snack food

noun · CEFR A1

a snack made by heating corn kernels until they burst open.

For teachers: a snack food consisting of maize kernels that have been expanded through dry heating. Uncountable when referring to the food generally.

- We bought a large bucket of salted popcorn to share during the movie.
- The aroma of freshly buttered popcorn permeated the cinema lobby, enticing patrons as they queued for the evening screening.

### 2. the plant variety

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a specific type of corn with a hard shell that is good for popping.

For teachers: a variety of flint corn (Zea mays everta) characterized by a hard endosperm that explodes when heated.

- The farmer decided to grow popcorn this year instead of sweet corn.
- Popcorn requires a specific moisture content within the hull to ensure the internal pressure builds sufficiently for a successful pop.

### 3. watching drama

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Humorous · Slang

entertainment you get from watching other people argue or have drama.

For teachers: a metaphorical reference to the act of observing a public dispute or dramatic event for personal amusement, as if watching a film.

- When the two celebrities started arguing on Twitter, I just sat back with my popcorn.
- As the political debate descended into personal insults, social media users joked about grabbing their popcorn to watch the chaos unfold.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'get the popcorn' or 'grab the popcorn'.

### 4. to jump or pop up

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to jump or move up quickly and repeatedly.

For teachers: to move, jump, or appear in a rapid, sporadic fashion reminiscent of kernels bursting.

- The happy puppies were popcorned around the room when their owner came home.
- The children began to popcorn with excitement as the performer finally took the stage after the long delay.

## Examples

- I always buy a large popcorn at the cinema.
- We sat on the sofa with a big bowl of salty popcorn and started the movie.
- The online debate became so heated that bystanders began posting images of popcorn to signal they were merely there to enjoy the spectacle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.